Warne: Flip Bird a Boxing Day debut

JACKSON BIRD should make his Test debut on Boxing Day because Australia cannot afford to select both Mitch Starc and Mitch Johnson in a three-man pace attack, Test great Shane Warne believes.

Warne predicted the uncapped Bird, who he currently captains at Big Bash Team the Melbourne Stars, "will take the new rock in the Boxing Day Test" against Sri Lanka to avoid captain Michael Clarke having to rely on two left-arm seamers, Starc and Johnson, who are renowned more for their striking ability than for their economy.

"I think he'll open the bowling on Boxing Day," Warne said of 26-year-old Bird, who left NSW about 18 months ago to join Tasmania.

"I don't think Australia will go with two left-armers. I think Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson both leak runs, can both take wickets but both go for a few too many runs, so [captain] Michael Clarke will want to have a little bit of control.

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"I think someone like a Jackson Bird bowling at the MCG [would be ideal]. He knows the conditions well, he bowls a perfect length for the MCG wicket. I think he'll get the nod and I think he'll open the bowling, which will be a huge thrill for him and it will be great for the Stars to have another player playing for Australia.

"It'll be a good Chrissy present for him."

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Bird played in the Stars' opening Big Bash League match - against ladder-leading Melbourne Renegades - but was squeezed out of their past two line-ups to accommodate the return of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

"Jackson Bird's been fantastic for us," Warne said. "He's got a great temperament, I think he'll fit in there fine [with the Test team]. Sure, he's going to be a little bit nervous - so you should be - but I think he'll fit right in and do a great job."

Bird is on track to lead the Sheffield Shield wicket tally for a second consecutive season, currently boasting 27 wickets at an average of 20.56. The tall seamer also a superb record at the MCG, having claimed 14 wickets at an average of 12.07 in his two Shield matches there.

The Stars will play their fourth BBL match on Friday night, hosting defending BBL champion Sydney Sixers at the MCG.